Elucidating Cathodic Corrosion Mechanisms with Operando Electrochemical Transmission Electron Microscopy

Cathodic corrosion represents an enigmatic electrochemical process in which metallic electrodes corrode under sufficiently reducing potentials. Although discovered by Fritz Haber in the 19th century, only recently has progress been made in beginning to understand the atomistic mechanisms of corroding bulk electrodes. The creation of nanoparticles as the end-product of the corrosion process suggests an additional length scale of complexity. Here, we studied the dynamic evolution of morphology, composition, and crystallographic structural information of nanocrystal corrosion products by analytical and four-dimensional electrochemical liquid-cell scanning transmission electron microscopy (EC-STEM). Our operando/in situ electron microscopy revealed, in real-time, at the nanometer scale, that cathodic corrosion yields significantly higher levels of structural degradation for heterogeneous nanocrystals than bulk electrodes. In particular, the cathodic corrosion of Au nanocubes on bulk Pt electrodes led to the unexpected formation of thermodynamically immiscible Au-Pt alloy nanoparticles. The highly kinetically driven corrosion process is evidenced by the successive anisotropic transition from stable Pt(111) bulk single-crystal surfaces evolving to energetically less-stable (100) and (110) steps. The motifs identified in this microscopy study of cathodic corrosion of nanocrystals are likely to underlie the structural evolution of nanoscale electrocatalysts during many electrochemical reactions under highly reducing potentials, such as CO₂ and N₂ reduction.

Electrocatalysis in Alkaline Media and Alkaline Membrane-Based Energy Technologies

Hydrogen energy-based electrochemical energy conversion technologies offer the promise of enabling a transition of the global energy landscape from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Here, we present a comprehensive review of the fundamentals of electrocatalysis in alkaline media and applications in alkaline-based energy technologies, particularly alkaline fuel cells and water electrolyzers. Anion exchange (alkaline) membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) enable the use of nonprecious electrocatalysts for the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), relative to proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), which require Pt-based electrocatalysts. However, the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) kinetics is significantly slower in alkaline media than in acidic media. Understanding these phenomena requires applying theoretical and experimental methods to unravel molecular-level thermodynamics and kinetics of hydrogen and oxygen electrocatalysis and, particularly, the proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) process that takes place in a proton-deficient alkaline media. Extensive electrochemical and spectroscopic studies, on single-crystal Pt and metal oxides, have contributed to the development of activity descriptors, as well as the identification of the nature of active sites, and the rate-determining steps of the HOR and ORR. Among these, the structure and reactivity of interfacial water serve as key potential and pH-dependent kinetic factors that are helping elucidate the origins of the HOR and ORR activity differences in acids and bases. Additionally, deliberately modulating and controlling catalyst-support interactions have provided valuable insights for enhancing catalyst accessibility and durability during operation. The design and synthesis of highly conductive and durable alkaline membranes/ionomers have enabled AEMFCs to reach initial performance metrics equal to or higher than those of PEMFCs. We emphasize the importance of using membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) to integrate the often separately pursued/optimized electrocatalyst/support and membranes/ionomer components. Operando/in situ methods, at multiscales, and ab initio simulations provide a mechanistic understanding of electron, ion, and mass transport at catalyst/ionomer/membrane interfaces and the necessary guidance to achieve fuel cell operation in air over thousands of hours. We hope that this Review will serve as a roadmap for advancing the scientific understanding of the fundamental factors governing electrochemical energy conversion in alkaline media with the ultimate goal of achieving ultralow Pt or precious-metal-free high-performance and durable alkaline fuel cells and related technologies.

Nonprecious transition metal nitrides as efficient oxygen reduction electrocatalysts for alkaline fuel cells

Hydrogen fuel cells have attracted growing attention for high-performance automotive power but are hindered by the scarcity of platinum (and other precious metals) used to catalyze the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). We report on a family of nonprecious transition metal nitrides (TMNs) as ORR electrocatalysts in alkaline medium. The air-exposed nitrides spontaneously form a several-nanometer-thick oxide shell on the conductive nitride core, serving as a highly active catalyst architecture. The most active catalyst, carbon-supported cobalt nitride (Co₃N/C), exhibited a half-wave potential of 0.862 V and achieved a record-high peak power density among reported nitride cathode catalysts of 700 mW cm^-2 in alkaline membrane electrode assemblies. Operando x-ray absorption spectroscopy studies revealed that Co₃N/C remains stable below 1.0 V but experiences irreversible oxidation at higher potentials. This work provides a comprehensive analysis of nonprecious TMNs as ORR electrocatalysts and will help inform future design of TMNs for alkaline fuel cells and other energy applications.

Superconducting Quantum Metamaterials from Convergence of Soft and Hard Condensed Matter Science

Superconducting quantum metamaterials are expected to exhibit a variety of novel properties, but have been a major challenge to prepare as a result of the lack of appropriate synthetic routes to high-quality materials. Here, the discovery of synthesis routes to block copolymer (BCP) self-assembly-directed niobium nitrides and carbonitrides is described. The resulting materials exhibit unusual structure retention even at temperatures as high as 1000 °C and resulting critical temperature, T_c , values comparable to their bulk analogues. Applying the concepts of soft matter self-assembly, it is demonstrated that a series of four different BCP-directed mesostructured superconductors are accessible from a single triblock terpolymer. Resulting materials display a mesostructure-dependent T_c without substantial variation of the XRD-measured lattice parameters. Finally, field-dependent magnetization measurements of a sample with double-gyroid morphology show abrupt jumps comparable in overall behavior to flux avalanches. Results suggest a fruitful convergence of soft and hard condensed matter science.

Co3Mo3N-An efficient multifunctional electrocatalyst

Efficient catalysts are required for both oxidative and reductive reactions of hydrogen and oxygen in sustainable energy conversion devices. However, current precious metal-based electrocatalysts do not perform well across the full range of reactions and reported multifunctional catalysts are all complex hybrids. Here, we show that single-phase porous Co₃Mo₃N prepared via a facile method is an efficient and reliable electrocatalyst for three essential energy conversion reactions; oxygen evolution reaction (OER), oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline solutions. Co₃Mo₃N presents outstanding OER, ORR, and HER activity with high durability, comparable with the commercial catalysts RuO₂ for OER and Pt/C for ORR and HER. In practical demonstrations, Co₃Mo₃N gives high specific capacity (850 mA h g_Zn⁻¹ at 10 mA cm⁻²) as the cathode in a zinc-air battery, and a low potential (1.63 V at 10 mA cm⁻²) used in a water-splitting electrolyzer. Availability of Co and Mo d-states appear to result in high ORR and HER performance, while the OER properties result from a cobalt oxide-rich activation surface layer. Our findings will inspire further development of bimetallic nitrides as cost-effective and versatile multifunctional catalysts that will enable scalable usage of electrochemical energy devices.

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Porous Co₃Mo₃N can act as a multifunctional electrocatalyst for OER, ORR, and HER

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Co₃Mo₃N performs better than precious metal catalysts

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Cobalt oxide-rich activation surface layer is shown to aid OER activity

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Better ORR and HER performance of Co₃Mo₃N is due to Co and Mo d-states

Materials Combining Asymmetric Pore Structures with Well-Defined Mesoporosity for Energy Storage and Conversion

Porous materials design often faces a trade-off between the requirements of high internal surface area and high reagent flux. Inorganic materials with asymmetric/hierarchical pore structures or well-defined mesopores have been tested to overcome this trade-off, but success has remained limited when the strategies are employed individually. Here, the attributes of both strategies are combined and a scalable path to porous titanium nitride (TiN) and carbon membranes that are conducting (TiN, carbon) or superconducting (TiN) is demonstrated. These materials exhibit a combination of asymmetric, hierarchical pore structures and well-defined mesoporosity throughout the material. Fast transport through such TiN materials as an electrochemical double-layer capacitor provides a substantial improvement in capacity retention at high scan rates, resulting in state-of-the-art power density (28.2 kW kg^-1) at competitive energy density (7.3 W-h kg^-1). In the case of carbon membranes, a record-setting power density (287.9 kW kg^-1) at 14.5 W-h kg^-1 is reported. Results suggest distinct advantages of such pore architectures for energy storage and conversion applications and provide an advanced avenue for addressing the trade-off between high-surface-area and high-flux requirements.

Synergistic Bimetallic Metallic Organic Framework-Derived Pt-Co Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalysts

The rational design of Pt-based electrocatalysts is of paramount importance for the commercialization of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Pt-Co alloys and nitrogen-doped carbons have been shown to be effective in enhancing the kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Herein, we reported on two kinds of Pt-Co electrocatalysts, PtCo ordered intermetallic and PtCo₂ disordered alloys, supported on bimetallic MOF-derived N-doped carbon. The synergistic interaction between Pt-Co nanoparticles and Co-N-C enhanced the overall ORR activity and maintained the integrity of both structures and their electrochemical properties during long-term stability testing. The optimal activity for both PtCo and PtCo₂ occurred after 20 000 potential cycles. The enhanced performance of PtCo was ascribed to the formation of a two-atomic-layer Pt-rich shell and the lattice strain caused by the core-shell PtCo@Pt structure. The increased activity of PtCo₂ was ascribed to the formation of large, spongy, and small solid nanoparticles during electrochemical dealloying and thus the exposure of more Pt sites on the surface. The strategy described herein advances our understanding of the structure-activity relationship in electrocatalysis and sheds light on the future development of more active and durable ORR electrocatalysts.

Structural characterization and Raman spectrum of Cs[OCN]

The compound Cs[OCN] has been synthesized and its crystal structure and Raman spectrum were determined on selected single crystals. As postulated in earlier work, the title compound crystallizes isopointal to KN3 exhibiting the space group I4/mcm (no. 140, Z = 4) with the lattice parameters a = 653.79(2) and c = 799.42(5) pm. The Raman spectrum verified the nature of the triatomic moiety and shows the frequencies typical for an [OCN]− anion with Fermi resonance between the 2δ and the ν sym vibrations. The undisturbed frequencies and the resulting force constants have been calculated and compared to those of other alkali metal compounds containing comparable linear triatomic anions.

Ultrahigh Rate Performance of a Robust Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide Cathode with Preferentially Orientated Li-Diffusing Channels

Lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) materials, with low cost and high energy density, are considered to be among the most promising cathode materials for Li-ion batteries (LIBs). However, several issues have hindered their further deployment, particularly for high-powered applications, including limited rate capability, capacity loss during cycling (especially at high temperatures and high voltages), and difficulty in reproducibly preparing the desired particle morphology. In this work, we have developed a robust LiNi_0.33Mn_0.33Co_0.33O₂ cathode material (NMC-111) capable of high-rate performance for LIBs. Our high power NMC-111 (HP-NMC) cathode materials showed significantly enhanced electrochemical performance, relative to a commercial NMC-111 (c-NMC), with discharge capacities of 138 and 131 mAh/g at high current rates of 20 and 30 C, respectively. The material also exhibited enhanced cycling stability under both room temperature and at 50 °C. We ascribe the high performance of our material to a unique crystalline microstructure observed by electron microscopy characterization, which showed preferential orientation of the Li-diffusing channels radially outward. This HP-NMC material achieved one of the highest performance metrics among NMC materials reported to date, especially for high-powered electric vehicles.

The Color of the Elements: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Electron Density Study of ScB2 C2

The chemical or physical control parameters for the onset of superconductivity in MB₂ C₂ hetero-graphene materials are unclear. This is mainly due to the almost ubiquitous positional B/C disorder, rendering the description of real structures of borocarbides into one of the most challenging problems in materials science. We will show that high-resolution X-ray diffraction data provides all the essential information to decode even complex coloring problems due to B/C disorder. Electron density studies and subsequent analyses of the fine structure of the Laplacian of the electron density resolves the local electronic structure of ScB₂ C₂ at sub-atomic resolution and allows for an unequivocal identification of all atoms involved in the coloring scenario. This information could finally be used to identify the electron deficient character of the B/C layers in ScB₂ C₂ and to synthesize the first bimetallic hetero-metallocene with lithium and scandium atoms embedded in the pentagonal and heptagonal voids, respectively.

Pt-Decorated Composition-Tunable Pd-Fe@Pd/C Core-Shell Nanoparticles with Enhanced Electrocatalytic Activity toward the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Design of electrocatalysts with both a high-Pt-utilization efficiency and enhanced electrochemical activity is still the key challenge in the development of proton exchange membrane fuel cells. In the present work, Pd-Fe/C bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs) with an optimal Fe composition and decorated with Pt are introduced as promising catalysts toward the oxygen reduction reaction. These bimetallic nanoparticles have a Pd-Fe@Pd core-shell structure with a surface Pt decoration as established through the use of electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. These catalysts exhibit excellent electrocatalytic activity ( E_1/2 = 0.866 V vs RHE), increasing the mass activity by more than 70% over that of Pt/C in terms of the total mass of Pt and Pd and by 14 times if only Pt is considered. Simple geometrical calculations, based on spherical core-shell models, indicate that Pd-Fe@Pt has a surface Pt decoration rather than a complete Pt monolayer. Such calculations applied to other examples in the literature point out the need for careful and rigorous arguments about claimed "Pt monolayer/multilayers". Such calculations must be based on not only elemental mapping data but also on the Pt/Pd and other metal atomic ratios in the precursors. Our analysis predicts a minimal Pt/Pd atomic ratio in order to achieve a complete Pt monolayer on the surface of the core materials.

Synthesis, vibrational spectra and single-crystal structure determination of lithium tricyanomethanide Li[C(CN)3]

The long-elusive structure of lithium tricyanomethanide Li[C(CN)3] has been determined on the basis of material synthesized via a metathesis reaction of Ag[C(CN)3] with LiCl in water driven by AgCl precipitation and subsequently recrystallization from methanol. Li[C(CN)3] crystallizes in the non-centrosymmetric orthorhombic space group Ima2 with the unit-cell parameters a=751.06(4), b=1059.75(6) and c=563.27(3) pm adopting a unique structure with planar [C(CN)3]− anions exhibiting nearly ideal trigonal planar D 3 h symmetry. The Li+ cations are coordinated by five independent tricyanomethanide anions forming a distorted square pyramid with Li–N distances between 202 and 249 pm. The vibrational frequencies were also determined and along with other properties of Li[C(CN)3] compared with those of related compounds.

Single-crystal structure refinement of YbF2 with a remark about YbH2

Transparent-yellow single crystals of YbF2 were obtained as only crystalline product from the solid-state reaction of Yb and teflon designed to yield ‘Yb3C3F2’ in addition to some amorphous black material. The first single-crystal structure determination of YbF2 (cubic space group Fm3̅m, CaF2-type structure, a=559.46(16) pm; R1=1.2%, wR2=3.2%) was the starting point to compare isostructural binary fluorides MF2 and hydrides MH2 (M=Ca, Yb, Eu, Sr and Ba) exhibiting an as-yet unexplained small volume per formula unit for YbH2.

Oxide meets silicide – synthesis and single-crystal structure of Ca21SrSi24O2

A few black, rectangular thin plates of Ca21SrSi24O2 were obtained by serendipity in a solid-state reaction of calcium metal, strontium chloride and silicon powder at 1200 K for 2 days designed to produce ‘Ca2SrCl2[Si3]’. The title compound forms next to some CaSi and some remaining educts. Ca21SrSi24O2 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/m (no. 12) with unit cell parameters of a=1895.2(2), b=450.63(5) and c=1397.33(18) pm and β=112.008(7)° (Z=1). The title compound shows planar, eight-membered, kinked Si8 chains with Si–Si distances between 241.4 and 245.0 pm indicating bonding interactions and kinked ‘rope ladders’ connecting the chains with interatomic Si–Si distances in the range 268.1–274.7 pm. Embedded in between these silicon substructures are columns of oxygen centered, apex sharing [(Ca1−x Sr x )6/2O] octahedra and calcium ions.

Crucial Role of Donor Density in the Performance of Oxynitride Perovskite LaTiO2 N for Photocatalytic Water Oxidation

LaTiO₂ N photocatalysts were prepared by thermal ammonolysis of flux-synthesized La₂ Ti₂ O₇ and La₂ TiO₅ , and were investigated for water oxidation. Though LaTiO₂ N derived from La₂ TiO₅ appears defect-free by UV/Vis/near-IR and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, its performance is much lower than that of conventional La₂ Ti₂ O₇ -derived LaTiO₂ N with defects. It is shown by Mott-Schottky analysis that La₂ TiO₅ -derived LaTiO₂ N has significantly lower donor density; this can result in insufficient built-in electric field for the separation of photogenerated electrons and holes. The lower donor density is also consistent with the smaller difference between the Fermi level and the valence-band maximum, which accounts for a lower oxidative power of the holes. In light of this discovery, the donor density was increased substantially by introducing anion vacancies through annealing in Ar. This resulted in improved performance. The CoO_x -assisted La₂ TiO₅ -derived LaTiO₂ N annealed at 713 °C has a higher quantum efficiency (25 %) at 450 nm than high-performance conventional CoO_x /LaTiO₂ N (21 %).

Synthesis, crystal structure and Raman spectrum of Ba7[BO3]3Br(O1.33F1.33)

In addition to amorphous material and Ba7[BO3]4−x F2−3x , air and moisture sensitive single crystals of Ba7[BO3]3Br(O1.33F1.33) were formed from H3BO3, Ba(OH)2, BaF2 and BaBr2·2 H2O in alumina crucibles open to the atmosphere at 1300 K for 13 h. Ba7[BO3]3Br(O1.33F1.33) crystallizes in the hexagonal space group P63 mc (no. 186, Z=2) with the lattice parameters a=1118.1(2) and c=723.93(13) pm. The Raman spectrum of the title compounds was also acquired and is compared to literature data.

Synthesis, single-crystal structure determination and Raman spectrum of Ca2.57(4)Sr0.43(4)Cl2[CBN]

Solid-state reaction of Ca, CaCl2, Sr, SrCl2, C and BN at 900°C for 3 days yielded transparent red needles of Ca2.57(4)Sr0.43(4)Cl2[CBN] as minority product (<10%) mixed with crystals of isotypic yellow Ca3Cl2[CBN] and orange Sr3Cl2[CBN]. Ca2.57(4)Sr0.43(4)Cl2[CBN] crystallizes in the space groupPnma(no.62) with the unit cell parameters ofa=1389.2(6),b=386.05(15) andc=1131.2(4)pm (Z=4). The Raman spectrum confirms the presence of the [CBN]4−unit. The incremental volume of the [CBN]4−is calculated to be 50.7(10)Å3.

High-Performance Pd3Pb Intermetallic Catalyst for Electrochemical Oxygen Reduction

Extensive efforts to develop highly active and strongly durable electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction are motivated by a need for metal-air batteries and fuel cells. Here, we report a very promising catalyst prototype of structurally ordered Pd-based alloys, Pd3Pb intermetallic compound. Such structurally ordered Pd3Pb/C exhibits a significant increase in mass activity. More importantly, compared to the conventional Pt/C catalysts, ordered Pd3Pb/C is highly durable and exhibits a much longer cycle life and higher cell efficiency in Zn-air batteries. Interestingly, ordered Pd3Pb/C possesses very high methanol tolerance during electrochemical oxygen reduction, which make it an excellent methanol-tolerant cathode catalyst for alkaline polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. This study provides a promising route to optimize the synthesis of ordered Pd-based intermetallic catalysts for fuel cells and metal-air batteries.

Synthesis, single-crystal structure determination and Raman spectra of the tricyanomelaminates NaA 5[C6N9]2 · 4 H2O (A = Rb, Cs)

Transparent colorless crystals of NaA 5[C6N9]2 · 4 H2O (A = Rb, Cs) were obtained by blending aqueous solutions of Na3[C6N9] and RbF or CsF, respectively, and subsequent evaporation of the water under ambient conditions. Both compounds crystallize in the space group P21/m (no. 11) with the cell parameters a = 815.56(16), b = 1637.7(4) and c = 1036.4(3) pm, and β = 110.738(12)° for NaRb5[C6N9]2 · 4 H2O and a = 843.32(6), b = 1708.47(11) and c = 1052.42(7) pm, and β = 112.034(2)° for NaCs5[C6N9]2 · 4 H2O, respectively. Raman spectra of the title compounds complement our results.

Block copolymer self-assembly-directed synthesis of mesoporous gyroidal superconductors

Superconductors with periodically ordered mesoporous structures are expected to have properties very different from those of their bulk counterparts. Systematic studies of such phenomena to date are sparse, however, because of a lack of versatile synthetic approaches to such materials. We demonstrate the formation of three-dimensionally continuous gyroidal mesoporous niobium nitride (NbN) superconductors from chiral ABC triblock terpolymer self-assembly-directed sol-gel-derived niobium oxide with subsequent thermal processing in air and ammonia gas. Superconducting materials exhibit a critical temperature (T c) of about 7 to 8 K, a flux exclusion of about 5% compared to a dense NbN solid, and an estimated critical current density (J c) of 440 A cm(-2) at 100 Oe and 2.5 K. We expect block copolymer self-assembly-directed mesoporous superconductors to provide interesting subjects for mesostructure-superconductivity correlation studies.

About alkali metal dicyanamides: syntheses, single-crystal structure determination, DSC/TG and vibrational spectra of KCs[N(CN)2]2 and NaRb2[N(CN)2]3 · H2O

Transparent colorless crystals of KCs[N(CN)2]2 and NaRb2[N(CN)2]3 · H2O were obtained by blending aqueous solutions of Na[N(CN)2] and RbF or KF, respectively. After evaporation of the water, the remaining solid was extracted with absolute ethanol and the solvent was allowed to evaporate at r. t.. KCs[N(CN)2]2 crystallizes in the space group C2/c (no. 15) with the cell parameters a = 1382.7(2), b = 998.1(1) and c = 1455.4(2) pm, and β = 118.085(4) °. The structure of NaRb2[N(CN)2]3 · H2O is exhibiting the space group P63/m (no. 176) with the cell parameters a = 705.98(7) and c = 1462.89(12) pm. Single-crystalline α-K[N(CN)2] was obtained while attempting to synthesize ‘NaK2[N(CN)2]3’, corroborating the results of previous X-ray powder diffraction experiments. Vibrational spectra and DSC/TGA analyses complete our results.

Unassisted HI photoelectrolysis using n-WSe2 solar absorbers

Molybdenum and tungsten diselenide are among the most robust and efficient semiconductor materials for photoelectrochemistry, but they have seen limited use for integrated solar energy storage systems. Herein, we report that n-type WSe2 photoelectrodes can facilitate unassisted aqueous HI electrolysis to H2(g) and HI3(aq) when placed in contact with a platinum counter electrode and illuminated by simulated sunlight. Even in strongly acidic electrolyte, the photoelectrodes are robust and operate very near their maximum power point. We have rationalized this behavior by characterizing the n-WSe2|HI/HI3 half cell, the Pt|HI/H2||HI3/HI|Pt full cell, and the n-WSe2 band-edge positions. Importantly, specific interactions between the n-WSe2 surface and aqueous iodide significantly shift the semiconductor's flatband potential and allow for unassisted HI electrolysis. These findings exemplify the important role of interfacial chemical reactivity in influencing the energetics of semiconductor-liquid junctions and the resulting device performance.

Synthesis, single-crystal structure determination and Raman spectrum of Cu[C(CN)3]2·2 NH3

Transparent, light blue crystals of Cu[C(CN)3]2·2 NH3 were obtained by dissolving Cu[C(CN)3]2 in aqueous ammonia and subsequent evaporation of the solvent under ambient conditions. Cu[C(CN)3]2·2 NH3 crystallizes in the space group C2/c (no. 15, Z = 4) with the cell parameters a = 1291.9(3), b = 753.18(15) and c = 1200.8(2) pm, and β = 92.68(3)°. The nature of the tricyanomethanide anion and the ammonia molecules were verified by Raman spectroscopy. Single crystals of Ag[C(CN)3] and Cu[C(CN)3]2 were synthesized, the known structures were confirmed and their Raman spectra were recorded for the first time for comparison.

Two lithium tricyanomethanide compounds: syntheses and single-crystal structure determination of LiK[C(CN)3]2 and Li[C(CN)3]·½ (H3C)2CO

The new compounds LiK[C(CN)3]2 and Li[C(CN)3]·½ (H3C)2CO were synthesized and their crystal structures were determined. Li[C(CN)3]·½ (H3C)2CO crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Ima2 (no. 46) with the cell parameters a=794.97(14), b=1165.1(2) and c=1485.4(3) pm, while LiK[C(CN)3]2 adopts the monoclinic space group P21/c (no. 14) with the cell parameters a=1265.7(2), b=1068.0(2) and c=778.36(12) pm and the angle β=95.775(7)°. Single crystals of K[C(CN)3] were also acquired, and the crystal structure was refined more precisely than before corroborating earlier results.

Syntheses, single-crystal structure determination, and Raman spectra of Rb[C(CN)3] and Cs[C(CN)3]

Extracting residues of an aqueous solutions containing equimolar amounts of K[C(CN)3] and RbF or CsF, respectively, with absolute ethanol, yields triangular, transparent colorless crystals of Rb[C(CN)3] and Cs[C(CN)3] after the ethanol was allowed to evaporate. The compounds are isotypic and crystallize isopointal to calcite in space group R3̅c (no. 167) with the cell parameters a=809.9(1) and c=1461.3(3) pm and a=843.29(9) and c=1459.9(2) pm, respectively. Single crystals were used to record the Raman spectra of the title compounds.

Direct access to macroporous chromium nitride and chromium titanium nitride with inverse opal structure

A facile synthesis of single-phase, nanocrystalline macroporous chromium nitride and chromium titanium nitride with inverse opal morphology is developed.

Ordered mesoporous crystalline aluminas from self-assembly of ABC triblock terpolymer–butanol–alumina sols

One-pot synthesis of periodically mesostructured γ-alumina using an ABC triblock terpolymer as structure-directing agent and in situ derived rigid carbon scaffold.

Mesoporous TiN as a noncarbon support of Ag-rich PtAg nanoalloy catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline media

There has been growing interest in noncarbon supports for fuel cell reactions, especially for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline media. Herein, we report a robust mesoporous titanium nitride (TiN) which is not only kinetically stable in alkaline media, but also electrochemically stable in the potential range of fuel cell operation. This binary nitride exhibits an order of magnitude higher electronic conductivity than carbon black. Bimetallic Ag-rich PtAg nanoalloy is selected as the catalyst for the ORR in alkaline media due to their superior activity and relatively low cost. TiN-supported Pt1 Ag9 nanoalloy catalysts are synthesized by a new and efficient approach with KEt3 BH as reducing agent and THF as solvent. Pt1 Ag9 /TiN exhibits much higher mass activity and durability for the ORR in alkaline media than Pt1 Ag9 /C, Pt/C and Ag/C catalysts, suggesting that mesoporous TiN is a very promising support in alkaline media.

Monolithic gyroidal mesoporous mixed titanium-niobium nitrides

Mesoporous transition metal nitrides are interesting materials for energy conversion and storage applications due to their conductivity and durability. We present ordered mixed titanium-niobium (8:2, 1:1) nitrides with gyroidal network structures synthesized from triblock terpolymer structure-directed mixed oxides. The materials retain both macroscopic integrity and mesoscale ordering despite heat treatment up to 600 °C, without a rigid carbon framework as a support. Furthermore, the gyroidal lattice parameters were varied by changing polymer molar mass. This synthesis strategy may prove useful in generating a variety of monolithic ordered mesoporous mixed oxides and nitrides for electrode and catalyst materials.

Synthesis of structurally ordered Pt3Ti and Pt3V nanoparticles as methanol oxidation catalysts

Structurally ordered Pt3Ti or Pt3V intermetallic nanoparticle catalysts with ultrasmall particle sizes have never been successfully synthesized. Herein, we present a KCl-nanoparticle method to successfully provide such compounds. These two catalysts show enhanced catalytic activity and stability for methanol oxidation compared to pure Pt.

Mesoporous Ti(0.5)Cr(0.5)N supported PdAg nanoalloy as highly active and stable catalysts for the electro-oxidation of formic acid and methanol

We report a robust noncarbon Ti0.5Cr0.5N support synthesized by an efficient solid-solid phase separation method. This ternary nitride exhibits highly porous, sintered, and random network structure with a crystallite size of 20-40 nm, resulting in a high specific surface area. It is not only kinetically stable in both acid and alkaline media, but also electrochemically stable in the potential range of fuel cell operation. Two typical anode reactions, formic acid oxidation in acid media and methanol oxidation in alkaline media, are employed to investigate the possibility of Ti0.5Cr0.5N as an alternative to carbon. Bimetallic PdAg nanoparticles (∼4 nm) act as anode catalysts for the two anode reactions. PdAg/Ti0.5Cr0.5N exhibits much higher mass activity and durability for the two reactions than PdAg/C and Pd/C catalyst, suggesting that mesoporous Ti0.5Cr0.5N is a very promising support in both acid and alkaline media.

Structure and Properties of the Stannides CeAuSn, Ce3Rh4Sn13, and Ce3Ir4Sn13

CeAuSn, Ce3Rh4Sn13, and Ce3lr4Sn13 were prepared by reaction of the elements in an arc-melting furnace and subsequent annealing at 970 K for two weeks. The three stannides were investigated by X-ray powder and single crystal techniques. CeAuSn crystallizes with the NdPtSb type, space group P63mc: a = 472.7(2), c = 771.6(3) pm, wR2 = 0.0230,208 F2 values, 11 variable parameters, and BASF = 0.40(2). The gold and tin atoms form a pronounced two-dimensional [AuSn] polyanion which consists of slightly puckered Au3Sn3 hexagons. ,19Sn Mössbauer data at 78 K show one signal at an isomer shift of δ = 1.90(7) mm/s subjected to unresolved quadrupole splitting of ΔEQ = 0.55(2) mm/s. Ce3Rh4Sn13 and Ce3lr4Sn13 adopt the cubic Yb3Rh4Sn13 type structure, space group Pm3n: a = 970.51(3) pm, wR2 = 0.0721, 267 F2 values (Ce3Rh4Sn13) and a = 972.29(6) pm, wR2 = 0.0850, 267 F2 values (Ce3lr4Sn13) with 14 variable parameters for each refinement. Striking structural motifs in Ce3Rh4Sn13 are condensed distorted trigonal [RhSn6] prisms with Rh-Sn distances of 266 pm. The polyhe­dral network leaves two different cages which are occupied by cerium (6c position) and tin (2a position) atoms. The Sn2 atoms show occupancy parameters of only 92% (Ce3Rh4Sn13) and 76% (Ce3Ir4Sn13) and an extremely large displacement parameter indicating a rattling of these atoms within the icosahedral Sn12 cages. Magnetic susceptibility measurements of Ce3Rh4Sn13 show paramagnetic behavior down to 2 K with an experimental magnetic moment of 2.45(2) μB/Ce. No magnetic ordering is observed. Magnetization measurements show a moment of 0.78(2) μB/Ce at 2 K and 5.5 T. Resistivity data reveal only a very weak tem­perature dependence. The two crystallographically different tin sites are resolved in the 119Sn Mössbauer spectrum which shows a signal at δ = 2.12(1) mm/s subject to quadrupole splitting of 1.54(1) mm/s, superimposed by a singlet at δ = 2.47(1) mm/s. The Seebeck coefficient of Ce3Rh4Sn13 is within a few μ V/K of zero over the temperature range of 10 - 300 K.

Syntheses and Crystal Structures of Sr7H12X2 (X = Cl, Br)

Dichroic, pink to blue single crystals of Sr7H12Cl2 and Sr7H12Br2 were obtained by reacting Sr with SrX2 or NaX and NaNH2 or NH4X (X = Cl, Br) as hydrogen sources in a Na melt at 900 °C for 12 h in silica-jacketed stainless-steel or Ta ampoules. The crystal structures of the new compounds were determined by means of single crystal X-ray diffraction. Both title compounds crystallize isotypically to Ba7Cl2F12 in the hexagonal space group P6̅ (no. 174) with the lattice parameters a = 998.06(3), c = 392.84(3) pm for Sr7H12Cl2 and a = 1004.62(3), c = 399.68(3) pm for Sr7H12Br2. The hydride positions taken from the difference Fourier map agree with those of the fluorides of the isotypic compound Ba7F12Cl12. The validity of our structural results is corroborated by EUTAX calculations and the comparison to SrH2, SrX2 and SrHX.

Syntheses and Crystal Structures of the Solid Solution Sr4OBr2.89(2)Cl3.11(2) and the Elusive Ba2OBr2

Transparent and colorless single crystals of the compounds Sr4OBr2.89(2)Cl3.11(2) and Ba2OBr2 were obtained by solid-state reactions of SrCl2, SrBr2 and SrO (3 : 3 : 2 molar ratio) or by using an excess of BaO together with BaBr2 and Ba as a flux with the molar ratio 3 : 2 : 2, respectively. Ba2OBr2 crystals are isopointal to K2ZnO2 adopting the orthorhombic space group Ibam (no. 72, Z = 4) with the cell parameters a = 7247.44(10), b = 1297.76(20) and c = 657.43(10) pm. Sr4OBr2.89(2)Cl3.11(2) is isotypic to Ba4OCl6 (or isopointal to K6ZnO4) and crystallizes in the hexagonal space group P63mc (no. 186, Z = 2) with the cell parameters a = 982.20(4) and c = 750.41(7) pm.

Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Optical Spectra of Yb2[CN2]3

Red-orange, transparent single crystals of Yb2[CN2]3 [trigonal, R3̄c (no. 167), a = 630.02(3) and c = 2947.4(2) pm, Z = 6] are obtained by the reaction of Yb, Sn, Zn[CN2] and NaN3 in arc-welded Nb ampoules at 1100 K. The title compound exhibits characteristic C-N bond lengths and angles [d(C-N) = 122.7(3) pm and ∡(N-C-N) = 178.4(5)°, respectively] within the [N=C=N]2− unit as well as the expected fundamental frequencies in its optical spectra (Raman: νs = 1338; δ = 643 / 683 / 695 cm−1; IR: νas = 2005 / 2037; δ = 640 / 679 cm−1). Since Yb2[CN2]3 adopts a corundum-type structure, Yb3+ is octahedrally coordinated by six N atoms of different [CN2]2− anions [d(Yb-N) = 228.6(3) and 233.4(3) pm, 3× each] and every [CN2]2− group has four Yb3+ as next neighbours which form a distorted tetrahedron.

Syntheses and Crystal Structures of the New Ternary Barium Halide Hydrides Ba2H3X (X = Cl or Br)

Single crystals of the isotypic hydrides Ba2H3X (X = Cl or Br) were obtained by solid-state reactions of Ba, NaCl, NaNH2 and metallic Na, or Ba, NH4Br and Na, respectively, in sealed, silicajacketed stainless-steel ampoules. The crystal structures of the new compounds were determined by means of single crystal X-ray diffraction. Ba2H3Cl and Ba2H3Br crystallize in a stuffed anti CdI2 structure and adopt the space group P3̄m1 (No. 164) with the lattice parameters a = 443.00(6), c = 723.00(14) pm and a = 444.92(4), c = 754.48(14) pm, respectively. The hydride positions are derived by crystallographic reasoning and with the help of EUTAX calculations. The results are compared with known data for binary and ternary alkaline earth metal hydrides.

Orthoborate Halides with the Formula (M+II)5(BO3)3X: Syntheses, Crystal Structures and Raman Spectra of Eu5(BO3)3Cl and Ba5(BO3)3X (X = Cl, Br)

Single crystals of Eu5(BO3)3Cl were obtained by serendipity by reacting Eu2O3 and Mg with B2O3 at 1300 K in the presence of an NaCl melt for 13 h in silica-jacketed Nb ampoules. Ba5(BO3)3X (X = Cl, Br) crystals were formed by direct synthesis from appropriate amounts of Ba(OH)2, H3BO3 and the respective barium halide (hydrate) in alumina crucibles kept in the open atmosphere at 1300 K for 13 h. The crystal structures of the title compounds were determined with single-crystal X-ray diffraction. All compounds crystallize isotypically to Sr5(BO3)3Cl in the orthorhombic space group C2221 (no. 20, Z = 4) with the lattice parameters a = 1000.34(7), b = 1419.00(9), c = 739.48(5) pm for Eu5(BO3)3Cl, a = 1045.49(5), b = 1487.89(8), c = 787.01(4) pm for Ba5(BO3)3Cl, and a = 1048.76(7), b = 1481.13(9) and c = 801.22(5) pm for Ba5(BO3)3Br. The Raman spectra of all compounds were acquired and are presented and compared to literature data. The incremental volume of the orthoborate (BO3)3− anion has been determined and is compared to the Biltz volume

Alkaline Earth Metal Oxyhalides Revisited – Syntheses and Crystal Structures of Sr4OBr6, Ba4OBr6 and Ba2OI2

Single crystals of the compounds Ca4OCl6, Sr4OBr6, Ba4OBr6, and Ba2OI2 were obtained by solid-state reactions. The crystals of Ba2OI2 are transparent and colorless and isopointal to K2ZnO2 adopting the orthorhombic space group Ibam (no. 72, Z = 4) with the cell parameters a = 747.20(9), b = 1392.02(18), and c = 678.12(9) pm. Sr4OBr6 and Ba4OBr6 are isotypic to Ba4OCl6 (or isopointal to K6ZnO4) and crystallize in the hexagonal space group P63mc (no. 186, Z = 2) exhibiting the cell parameters a = 982.20(4) and c = 750.41(7) pm for Sr4OBr6 and a = 1030.10(2) and c = 785.92(4) pm for Ba4OBr6. In the ternary systems Ca-O-X (X = Cl, Br or I) the only compound found other than the starting materials was the already known Ca4OCl6 which is also isotypic to Ba4OCl6 crystallizing in the hexagonal space group P63mc (no. 186, Z = 2) with the cell parameters a = 903.30(6) and c = 683.27(8) pm.